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. 2021 Sep 1;1(3):108-120.
eCollection 2021.

Neighborhood Built Environment Impacts Park Use of Diverse, Low-Income Mothers With Their Children

Lauren E Mullenbach  1 , Lincoln R Larson  2 , Myron F Floyd  2 , Oriol Marquet  3 , Jing-Huei Huang  2   4 , Claudia Alberico  2   4 , J Aaron Hipp  2   4
Affiliations

Neighborhood Built Environment Impacts Park Use of Diverse, Low-Income Mothers With Their Children

Lauren E Mullenbach et al. J Healthy Eat Act Living. .

Abstract

Built environment features, including parks, often exacerbate health disparities. We examined built environment perceptions and park use among a population at high risk for negative physical health outcomes: racially diverse, low-income mothers across the United States. Perceived safety from crime and living near a park were associated with more frequent park use for mothers with their children, and neighborhood walkability was linked to longer park visits. However, only 40% of mothers lived within a 10-minute walk of a park, and overall perceptions of walkability and safety from crime were low. To enhance physical activity and health of low-income mothers with their children, investments are needed to close disparities in park access and improve neighborhood safety.

Keywords: crime; parents; physical activity; race; walkability; youth.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement: We have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Graphical summary of structural model results. Note: Nonsignificant paths are grayed out in the figure.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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